There’s something undeniably thrilling about a dish that balances on the knife-edge of nostalgia and innovation. These venues are challenging expectations by reworking time-honoured recipes with bold new flavours, playful plating and contemporary sensibilities. They’re not trying to rewrite the classics - they’re evolving them.
Here, tradition is the foundation, not the ceiling, and every dish is an exploration of what’s possible when old meets new.
Tikka Take – Canberra CBD, ACT
Set in the heart of the capital, Tikka Take delivers a vibrant interpretation of Indian cuisine that is anything but expected. The fit-out echoes its culinary style - rustic yet modern, with recycled timber, polished concrete and pendent lights casting a soft, warm hue. There’s an energy here that draws you in, especially at the sunlit windows where diners settle in for a casual yet inventive journey through India’s culinary regions.
The menu plays with form and flavour, offering skewers like lamb korma served with pillowy naan, salad and sweet tamarind chutney - a perfect balance of spice, sweetness and char. Classic curries are reimagined without losing their roots; the lamb vindaloo packs heat but with a cleaner, tangy finish, while the butter chicken is as creamy as ever with a richer tomato base and hint of smoke. There’s creativity at play here, but never at the cost of authenticity.
Book your table and discover Indian food with a fresh perspective.
Hapi Café & Restaurant – Dromana, Vic
Perched on the Point Nepean Road strip, Hapi Café & Restaurant is redefining beachside brunch with vibrant dishes and a playful approach to traditional café fare. The laid-back interior, adorned with cane pendent lights and colourful artwork, creates a breezy, feel-good setting that encourages long meals and plenty of laughter.
The menu is diverse and imaginative. Korean chicken bao buns are a standout - light, fluffy and packed with spicy, crunchy goodness, marrying street food charm with a brunch sensibility. Zucchini fritters topped with poached eggs and rocket bring Mediterranean ease to the plate, while dinner introduces heartier options like grilled halloumi starters and nourishing bowls of chicken, quinoa, kale and pomegranate. This is comfort food with personality and polish.
Grab your seat and savour a menu that flips the script on brunch.
Dilano’s offers a distinctly modern take on Italian dining and it does so with both reverence and flair. Located in Newton, the restaurant pairs a cosy atmosphere with purple-hued interiors in tribute to the owner's late sister, adding emotional resonance to a setting already rich with hospitality and heart.
Risotto and pasta take centre stage, but never in ways you've seen before. The squid ink risotto is a masterclass in modern Italian cooking - jet black, seafood-studded and delicately balanced with a touch of chilli oil and tomato sugo. Pasta plates like tagliatelle with chicken, mushrooms and rosetta sugo feel simultaneously familiar and fresh. It’s a menu that celebrates tradition while confidently bending the rules.
Reserve now and enjoy a contemporary celebration of Italian classics.
Firangi Fusion Bar & Dining – North Sydney, NSW
Firangi Fusion doesn’t do subtle - it does spectacle. By day it’s a cheeky café with a butter chicken jaffle that’s become something of a legend; by night, it transforms into a speakeasy-style venue with moody lighting, ice bar cocktails and a lively buzz that makes it a local go-to for casual hangs and offbeat celebrations.
The food is just as playful as the concept. Think lamb seekh kebabs reimagined in bao buns, or prawn wontons dressed in soy ponzu for a zesty, umami punch. Pasta shows up in the form of rigatoni with rich lamb ragu, while whole turmeric chicken is served with slaw and nam jim, a tribute to bold fusion done right. It's a wild, creative ride - and that's exactly the point.
Book your spot and experience global fusion with a twist of fun.
At these restaurants, rethinking the classics isn’t just a gimmick - it’s a statement. Each dish is an invitation to taste something both familiar and brand new. Tradition still has a place at the table, but it’s sitting next to invention - and they’re getting along brilliantly.
